Easy Win--Cubs 7 Phillies 1

The Cubs picked up the game they lost last night, and really it was just a fun night at the ballpark for the Cubs. Kyle Hendricks was solid again for another one of those larger stories we are watching, but tonight the story was the lineup breaking out early and often. Zach Eflin couldn't settle in with Daniel Murphy doubled to start the game. Javier Báez hit an infield single that Asdrúbal Cabrera misplayed into a run scoring play on the second batter of the game. Báez reached third on the play. He scored with one out on Ben Zobrist's double. Kris Bryant struck out in his first plate appearance back and Kyle Schwarber did the same to finish the first inning. Hendricks pitched around a one out walk in the bottom of the inning to keep the score 2-0.

The Cubs offense added to their lead in the third inning. Rizzo singled with one out to start the rally, but Eflin got a Zobrist fly ball to be a single out away from escaping any damage. Kris Bryant doubled in his second plate appeareance. Rizzo only made it to third on the line drive double. Kyle Schwarber tripled into right to score the pair. The Cubs now had a 4-0 lead. The Phillies threatened with a two out double in the third inning, but Hendo kept the Phillies off the board the first time through the order.

The Phillies got their one tally in the fourth inning. Hendricks gave up three singles in a row to start the inning. The third single made it a 4-1 ball game, and the Phillies threatened to tie the game. Maikel Franco grounded into a double play to end the inning. Eflin pitched through the fifth inning, and kept the Phillies in the game at 4-1.

Edubray Ramos was the Phillies pitcher in the seventh inning. Ian Happ launched a one out solo shot to extend the Cubs lead back to four runs. The Cubs broke the game open in the ninth inning. Austin Davis was working his second inning of work in the ninth. Victory Carrot reached base on an error by Davis to start the inning. Caratini was on second base with no outs. The Victory Carrot moved to third on Albert Almora Jr.'s groundball out. Ian Happ hit a liner that Maikel Franco caught. David Bote McBoteface doubled in his pinch hit appearance. Javier Báez singled to move the score to its final line of 7-1.

Hendricks pitched a quality start making it through six innings. Jesse Chavez retired six straight Phillies and Randy Rosario was in GOAT form once again. The young lefty pitched a clean inning himself to close out the Cubs eightieth win.

Comments

Dabynsky, First lineup and infield defense with Bryant in five weeks as Cubs stretched their division lead grew from 2.0 to 4.5 and recording a 22-14 record while he was out. Of course not just Bryant but also Morrow, Montgomery, Russell, Chatwood, Duensing now Heyward, and of course Darvish on the DL.

In that same span Cubs added Hamels, Kintzler, De La Rosa, Murphy and soon to join, Wilson.

But Bryant is a difference maker, as is Murphy and Hamels. When Heyward returns it will be interesting if he becomes the full time CF'er down the stretch where Zobrist & Murphy must be in the everyday card, along with Rizzo & Baez. That of course leaves out Schwarber and Contreras as locks.

Let's review by wOBA ordered on this team and then ranked in the NL w/ 400 PA

Could very well wind up going that way....
Cubs sure won’t be playing a B team line up for that series.
Do give the Cardinals credit for getting back into the WC picture but even their franchise best 11 series in a row won couldn’t bring down the best team in the NL.

Agree.....it’s getting so close to the reality that even if the Cubs played .500 out (which they will probably exceed) the rest would have to go crazy good to win the division.
Cubs being ahead right now 4-0 on Sunday.....you can’t gain much ground on them when they are 9-1.......what a Simmons collapse ya know?

Plus Russell should be a lock on the playoff roster. God forbid Baez gets hurt, Russell's the only legit back up at SS. Even without the bat, his defense is 2nd best at the position. I wouldn't even completely trust Zo there.